It's all very well saying that we've agreed to the T&C's but what is the alternative if you don't agree to it on privacy grounds, in that all the other networks are also allowing this, not at least without having to jump through hoops ? Have no phone ?

There are different reasons why things are left unchallenged. Why, for example, Payforit went unchallenged by Ofcom for so many years? People were getting scammed by useless subscriptions for ages, all Ofcom had to do was bar any incoming premium text charges. Genuine market players would lose nothing because of such a bar as users would still have an option to start any subscription they wanted from their end. Yet Ofcom didn't bother and 'why' is a rhetorical question here.

Laws don't "just work", there's always a "some equal more than others" approach and hundreds of tiers of justice.

Plus, GDPR is a relatively new thing, and it's quite possible that someone will eventually set a precedent where handing over someone's personal phone number to Payforit-style sites will be forbidden.

Actually, the passing of numbers to third parties is part of the published specification of Payforit, so the fact that this happens is not in dispute. The faq in my signature includes a demonstation that this actually happens.

It is the legality of this that is in dispute. It is illegal under GDPR to pass personal details (including phone numbers) to third parties unless it is a business necessity. I would submit that it is not a business necessity, as it is clearly possible to sign up to Payforit services while connected via WiFi. The mechanism in this case is different, and the consumer supplies the number themselves to the third party. Much safer and compliant with GDPR.

ICO have already been asked about this and they have said it is a matter for the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). The PSA were then asked about it and guess what - they say it's a matter for the ICO!

The regulation of these services is a joke, with the various regulators passing the buck between one another.

I urge you and anyone else concerned with stopping these scams to respond to the PSA consultation. It closes on 25th January 2019. These consultations usually get no response from consumers. It would be good if it was different this year!

@muggles708 The regulators are indeed a joke. Well, we deserve the authorities we get....

I'll respond to the consultation, although the whole concept does seem a bit of a joke to me as well, a heaven for pen pushers - there's not much to consult about, the harm is obvious and self evident, what has to be done about it is obvious as well.

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